Follower



ay 24, 3932. J. c. GARAND; 1,859,558

FOLLOWER Filed March 51, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v MM IN V EN TOR.

John E Barand A TTORNEY J. c. GARAND. 1,859,558

FOLLOWER Filed March 31, 1951- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 km E} 5. 10. 24

IN V EN TOR.

duhn E. Garancl ATTORNEY Patented May 24, 1932' JOHN C. GARAND, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS romowna Application filed march 31, 1931. Serial No. 526,665.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT 01 MARCH 8, 1888, AS ENDED APRIL 30, 19281 370 0. G2 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government. for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royaltythereon. This invention relates to a follower intended primarily for use in firearms providedwlth a magazine adapted to receive a double row of cartridges in staggered relation.

The main objects of this invention are the provision of a follower which permits a double column cartridge clip to be used in which either the right hand or left hand column of cartridges may be uppermost; which, conscquently, does not require that the user load cartridge on a particular side; which permits the loading of an odd or even number of cartridges in a double column into the magazine, and, if the permits the feeding of the clip into the magazine either end of a cartridge clip for a double column of cartriclgesihaving both ends alike.

To these ends the invention resides-broadth be contacted by the lowermost cartridge of a double column of cartridges to cause such a repositioning of the uppersurface of the follower that the concave surface of the follower adapted to receive the lowermost cartridge. will lie-to the right or-left respectively as the lowermost cartridge liesto the right or left.

Specifically, this invention may find its embodiment in a follower tiltable about a longitudinal axis; or in a follower the central longitudinal portion of the upper surface of which is shiftable transversely of the follower; or in a follower shiftable transversely.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, wherem nal section of a portion of afirearm contain- 5 ing a magazine and showing. the follower therein in side elevation; v

F ig. 2 is a plan View of the follower, fragments of the side walls of the magazine be ing shown in section; v

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the follower;

the clip having the uppermost or lowermost.

cartridges are held in a cl1p,.

first; which permits the use lv in a follower provided with an element Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in longitudi- Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

F 5 is a plan view of the follower arm:

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. '7 is a rear end View of the follower;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of another form of follcower, fragments of the receiver shown in secion;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the same;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10--1O of Fig. 8, the portions of the receiver omitted;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section view;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11-:

Fig. 13 is an end elevation of still another form of follower, a clip being shown partly in end elevation and partly in section;

Fig. 14 is a similar view illustrating 'an-' other position of the follower;

Fig 15 is a plan view of the follower;

Fig. 16 is a side'elevation of the same. Referring to the drawingsby numerals of reference:

A fragment of a firearm is shown provided with a stock 5, and receiver 6,,to which is secured the barrel 7, and in which is reciprocally mounted on bolt 8. The firearm is provided with a follower rod 9, actuated by resilient means, not shownyto raise the follower and feed cartridges upwardly through the magazine 10 to position to be contacted by the bolt 8 as it moves forward to breech closing position. i

A follower arm 11 is mounted on apivot 12 in the receiver and is formed with laterally projecting studs 13, adapted to be engaged inrecessed forked ends on the follower rod 9. The follower engaging endof the fol lower arm 11, is adapted for sliding engagement with the follower in any convenient manner, the specific form herein illustrated consisting in a I head 14 having a sliding fit ina T slot 15 formed in the follower 16. The dimensions of the T slot 15 are such that the follower is allowed considerable lateral play on the head 14 of the follower arm.

The follower may be formed with a central longitudinal rib 17, of suflicient height to be contacted by the lowermost cartridge of a double stack of cartridges.

The upper surface-of the follower at either side of the rib is preferably concave to conform to the contourof a cartridge case. The follower is provided with laterally extending flanges 18 adapted to engage in guide grooves 19 formed in the side walls of the magazine. For the purpose of reducing friction rollers 20 may be mounted on the flanges 18.

The form of follower shown in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive, is similar to the follower hereinbefore described, except that in this case the upper portion 21 of the follower contain ing the central rib and concave portions is made as a separate piece provided near its rear end with a depending hooked stud 22 adapted to enter an aperture 23 formed in the base 24 of the follower with its hooked portion underlying the bottom surface of the ase. Near its forward end the upper portion has a depending transverse rib 25 which enters a slot 26 formed transversely of the base. From a consideration of the structure just described it is evident that the upper portion 21 of the follower is adapted to slide transversely -of the base. The case in this instance may be formed with flanges 27 adapted to enter the grooves 19 formed in the receiver.

In the form of follower shown in Figs. 13 to 16, inclusive the base 27 is the same as heretofore described with the exception that it is provided with means, specifically the apertured lugs 2828, for pivotally mounting on the base an upper portion 29 so formed that when tilted to one side or the other about its pivot the up tilted or high side will form an upper step and the down tilted side w1ll be in position to form a lower step.

The operation of the device is as follows: Where cartridges are fed into the magazine the lowermost cartridge will contact the rib 17 causing the rib to slide transversely of the follower, or causing the follower to slide transversely, as the case may be,tl 1us positioning the concave surface to receive the lowermost cartridge. In the case of the pivoted follower the lowermost cartrid e engages the follower' to one side or the ot er of the pivoted axis thus causin the follower to rock to proper position to e evate the stack of cartridges during feeding operatlon.

I claim: I

1. A receiver, a magazine formed in the receiver, guide grooves in the side walls of the receiver, a follower in the magazine mounted for lateral movement, elements on the follower engaged in the guide grooves, a

follower arm pivotally mounted in the receiver and having a loose connection with the follower, means on the follower contacted by the lowermost cartridge of a clip containing a double row of cartridges in staggered relation to shift the follower laterally, and means engaging the follower arm to operate the follower to feed cartridge up wardly to loading osition.

2. A follower flir the magazineof firearms adapted to receive a double row of cartridges in staggered relation embodying an element on the follower adapted to ocxcllpy either a central, or right hand, or left the follower to accommodate itself to the lowermost cartridges.

4. In a magazine rifle adapted to receive a double row of cartridges in staggered relation, a follower arranged to be moved by contact with the lowermost cartridge from normal central position toright or left hand position, or from right hand position to left hand position or the reverse to provide either a right or left hand concave surface for engaging the lowermost cartridge of said stack.

5. In a magazine rifle adapted to receive a double row of cartridges in staggered relation, a follower providing a movable step which is automatically shifted from right to left hand position or the reverse by its engagement with the bottom of. said stack.

6. In a magazine rifle adapted to receive a double row of cartridges in staggered relation, and a follower for said cartridges movable from right to left hand feed or the reverse by engagement with the cartridges.

7. Ina magazine rifle adapted to receive a double row of cartridges in staggered relation, a follower for said cartridges, and an upper ste disposed centrally thereof, and adapted to e engaged by the bottom cartrid e to shift the follower to a right or left ha position or from right hand to left hand p sition or the reverse. 

